E-10, gasahol, isknown to eat through fiberglass tanks, will it leak from the new fuel tanks in gas stations?

Question

E-10, gasahol, is known to eat through fiberglass tanks, what will it do to the new underground  fuel tanks that have been installed in the last 10 years? I just researched and wrote a report on the effects of ethanol on antique cars and read several articles on the demise of fiberglass fuel tanks in boats. Will E-15 and E-85 have an adverse effect on the recently installed tanks gas stations are now using?

Bob · Accepted Answer

Obviouslty ethanol eats through the resin, not the glass fibers.  Modern resins in underground storage tanks are formulated to withstand ethanol.  It's mostly a problem with some old boats.

"Certain fiberglass tanks, mostly manufactured prior to 1992, will decompose from alcohol."

http://www.theoutboardwizard.com/boat_ethanol_danger_precaution.html

"Any boat with a fiberglass gas tank that was not specifically designed for ethanol should be suspect. There are some resins that are immune to ethanol (some vinylesters, for example) and are used in underground gasoline storage tanks, but most resins, including common epoxies are not able to withstand contact with ethanol."

http://my.boatus.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56486&PN=1

Anonymous · Answer

No, they won't.  Ethanol has a PH of 9.8, making it almost 1000 times less acidic than water.  Look it up for yourself on any chemistry website.  Ethanol eating through car parts is a lie that has been pervaded by big oil.  I have been running E85 in my non-flex fuel car for 3 years now and have never had a single problem.  Ethanol is no more damaging than gasoline.

and,or,nand,nor · Answer

The fiberglass UST's manufactured today claim to be able to hold e-85... I don't know about 10 y/o tanks.

Here are some site to check out...
http://www.pei.org/
http://www.containmentsolutions.com/
http://www.xerxescorp.com/index.shtml

The answer you got about it being less acidic than water...  I have to call BS on that one.  The pumps and dispenser parts that are made of metal have to be stainless steel or nickel plated to keep it from eating thru it!

lawyerslastbreath · Answer

Like Alien blood?

jim m · Answer

It will eat everything if it is allowed to continue. The use of food for this is all wrong for many reasons.

cosmicwindwalker · Answer

it will destroy the rings in your engine.

it will deplete the fields and cause genetic mutation of food crops - it is a real bad idea.

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E-10, gasahol, isknown to eat through fiberglass tanks, will it leak from the new fuel tanks in gas stations?

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